Pros and Cons of Living in Saudi Arabia

"I loved the fact that these people had a lot of time for me, if I liked something they would give it to me and I was often treated like royalty a lot too as I was the only woman who worked amongst the men. I was treated with a lot of respect and also I found that these people were great hosts. The owner of my apartment building and I became good friends and he would often get his manservant to bring me up a plate of every dish he would serve down in his Ramadan tent over Ramadan just so I didn't miss out as I could not enter his enter tent because it was a male only event. But like a good host, I was given a lot of respect by the males in the Kingdom and I will never forget that. It was their kindness and appreciation for me as a westerner that made them do this and I was rather sad when I left because of this," explained one expat living in Al Khobar.

"Expats in Saudi Arabia appreciate the hospitality, respect, and generosity of the local culture. They also value the country's rich history of art, architecture and literature, as well as its commitment to religious observance and traditions. Additionally, Saudis are known for their strong sense of family and community and expats appreciate the importance they place on relationships and gathering together. They also appreciate the diverse and vibrant cuisine that is enjoyed in the country," said one expat in Saudi Arabia.

"Living expenses are fairly low here and varieties are available, shopping is real fun," said a person living in Riyadh.

"Probably that it's so totally opposite what I knew and was used to, so I learn something new everyday. I know I've grown a lot since being here, in many ways," explained one expat living in Riyadh.

"Abnormal (lack of) male/female interaction that led to a huge number of homosexual advances being made by the obviously sexually frustrated men," said one person in Dammam.

"Many expats in Saudi Arabia find the local culture very different from their own and may struggle with cultural expectations. One of the biggest challenges for expats is the stringent gender segregation in Saudi society, including being segregated from the opposite sex when in public. Additionally, the conservative dress code can be difficult to get used to, as women are expected to wear a ‘hijab’ or veil which covers all of the hair and body except for the hands and face. Finally, conservative religious values and laws are a large part of Saudi culture, with rules specific to religious holidays, modest behaviour and restrictions on alcohol consumption," remarked one expat in Saudi Arabia.